Governor General’s book — and his life — are inspiring
Your Excellency:
As the Queen’s representative in Canada, you represent an institution that some Canadians claim is outdated. In the modern age, when technology is disrupting many conventional structures and systems, it’s tempting for some people to view any long-established tradition as antiquated. We don’t need a monarchy and a governor general, they argue. We’d be better off as a republic or with some other system.
But with your new book, The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation, you have proven just how important both our ties to the monarchy and the office of the governor general are to Canada. Interestingly, your book was released in the same week the Queen became the first British monarch to turn 90 years old.
Your thought-provoking collection of letters to Canadians past and present explores many facets of our history, raises a wide range of important questions about our future and, most importantly, strikes the perfect balance between celebrating what makes Canada great and challenging all of us to make it better. This broad, insightful and timeless perspective, free of rhetoric and today’s short-term political thinking, is why we need a viceregal voice like yours — one of integrity, intelligence and compassion.
In one revealing and inspiring story, you write of quitting a club at Harvard that would not accept a Nigerian student. Your goal was not to make a grand statement, but to be true to your own values. You describe it as an easy decision, but it’s clearly one that both proved and shaped who you are — a quintessentially Canadian gesture. As you write, we represent fairness. But we are not showy about it.
It’s this kind of example that Queen Elizabeth has set for Canadians throughout her 90 years. The Queen’s life was shaped by the abdication crisis of 1936, which is why I reject any prediction she will one day step down from the throne.
On her 21st birthday, 69 years ago, she said, “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.” I have difficulty picturing her, even in her 90s, withdrawing from that commitment.
One of the enduring messages of your book is that Canadians must not be complacent about the values, traditions and institutions with which we are blessed. History has shown how even countries with long-established rights and freedoms can still wander quickly toward a dangerous precipice. You challenge us to achieve not just equality of opportunity for our children, but a culture of excellence. We can’t just give out medals for participation. We must compete to be the best in the world.
In not just your letters but your actions, you represent all that is good about our country. To borrow the theme of your installation speech in 2010, you are smart and caring. You are thoughtful and humble, kind and considerate. And you’re a hockey player.
You pay tribute to the coaches, teachers and mentors in your life and honour the role they play in the lives of all Canadians. You have been all three to Canadians, both individually and collectively. Throughout your career as an educator, academic, university president and Governor General, you have led by example. With humility and purpose, you’ve been building a better country throughout your life. Like the Queen, you have a sense of duty that I’m sure will extend well beyond your term at Rideau Hall.
You’ve inspired me to take greater notice of the meaningful things that stand the test of time and not just the trivialities of daily news, to maintain a watchful eye over the values we must preserve and to do my part to make Canada a better country.
You’ve also inspired me to write more letters. With gratitude, Mark Sutcliffe